Just go for it?

Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” – Deuteronomy 31:7-8

I was recently conversing with my son, Micah, who is eight years old. He and I talk sports, what it means to be a man, successful leadership, etc… In this particular conversation, I was talking to him about nervousness. I was preparing my message for his school’s chapel service that I was to lead, and I planned to bring him on stage with me to help me tell the story of the Good Samaritan. He started asking me a million questions about how much time he would be up there, what was he going to have to do, etc… and I could tell he was really scared about going up on stage. I tried to ease his fears by mentioning to him that every person who stands in front of others to do anything experiences nervousness. I told him that I too would be nervous standing in front of the entire kindergarten, first grade and second grade classes of his school. I then said that nervousness is normal, it’s what we do with the nervousness that matters. My son’s innocent response was more profound and thought-provoking for me than he will ever realize, his response was, “So what do people do, just go for it?” I was sort of taken aback and then I quickly said, “Yes! That is exactly what to do! Just go for it!” I was so proud, he had figured out the secret!

Symptoms such as nervousness, fear, and trepidation can cripple us, even as they relate to taking steps of obedience to the Lord’s calling on our lives. We can tend to talk ourselves out of opportunities to share the gospel, go on mission, love and care for someone in need, or pretty much anything at all. Our minds are powerful tools that are sometimes used to keep us from living the very abundant life the Lord desires in Himself (John 10:10). It seems we easily forget that we have received power to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8) and that he has supplied us with all we need for life and godliness in Christ Jesus (2 Peter 1:3). Rather than embracing the fear and getting up on stage, we’d sometimes just assume the seat in the back hoping that no one notices. Maybe you can relate to this reality, I know I can, and sometimes all too often.

As I think about this reality though, I find great encouragement in the passages we read at the end of Deuteronomy and into the first chapters of Joshua. Moses is nearing the end of his life, and the Lord is giving specific instructions to Moses about the appointment of his successor, Joshua, who will take Israel across the Jordan and into the promised land. There is great warning given as the Lord foretells of Israel’s disobedience and pursuit of other gods and the “evils and troubles” to come but the commission to go and the Lord’s faithfulness to deliver the land as promised is unwavering. Joshua is summoned, commissioned, and given specific instruction and was full of the spirit of wisdom because of Moses’ laying of hands upon him (Deut. 34:9). But we can also ascertain from this narrative that Joshua carried some level of fear in his newfound role in redemptive history.

The repetitious “be strong and courageous” language would suggest to us a couple of realities that might serve as an encouragement as we consider our next step of faith in the Lord. First, the mere fact that these words and encouragements “be strong and courageous” were repeated a significant number of times gives us a similar language to lean into as we consider embarking on the next journey. In Christ, we can be strong and courageous as we stand on the embankment of the Jordan, no matter what lies on the other side, knowing that when we take a step in obedience we have been supplied with everything we need. Second, we can appreciate that these are the right words at the right time for Joshua and so too are they for us. Moses was approaching death, and then subsequently passed on Mount Nebo, leaving Joshua with the mantle of leadership to take Israel across the Jordan. It was a critical moment in Israel’s history and the words impressed upon Joshua were perfect for such an occasion. As doubt, fear, and trembling creep into our hearts and minds, these words are powerful to help us overcome those hesitancies and to just go for it. Finally, the beauty of these passages is not simply the fact that we can be strong and courageous, but we can be so because we know that Lord is with us always. We can rest in a blessed hope that our God is before us and will never leave nor forsake us in our journeys of obedience. Joshua experienced fear as he led the people Israel and the Lord was gracious to remind him of His presence (Joshua 1:9).

I pray we are all reminded of and sense the Lord’s presence as we strive to walk in a manner worthy of our calling in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 4:1).  

To God be the glory!